The quartz stones, obtained from artisanal mines in the mineral-rich Barue district, had been transported to Chimoio, the capital of Manica, from where it is expected they would have been exported to Asia.

“After inspection and other procedures, we established that the product had been both mined and transported illegally, given that the [mining] license used was expired,” Manica Police Command spokesman Mateus Mindu said.

The detainees – a mining operator and the owner of the car, which was also confiscated – would be charged with “illegal exploitation of mineral resources”, and the case had already been forwarded to the competent authorities, he added.

“The police continue to combat looting and the unrestrained export of mineral resources,” he said.